'Dilli Chalo': Punjab farm leaders hold talks with Haryana officials, deadlock persists

Agitating farmer leaders led by Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday held talks with senior Haryana Police officials over their foot march to Delhi, which was suspended for the day after some of the farmers sustained injuries in teargas shelling by security personnel at Shambhu border.

The meeting, held at a private hotel in Rajpura, was facilitated by Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu in a bid to break the deadlock. It was attended by Ambala Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.

Sources said the farmer leaders and Haryana officials were adamant on their respective stands during the meeting. “While the Ambala administration agreed to facilitate conducive environment to facilitate talks with the Centre, if the farmers lift the agitation, the farm leaders said they would not back off till their demands are accepted”, they said.

“The farmer unions wanted written assurances while the Haryana officials said they could open the highway if the dharna is lifted. The farmers rejected this offer,” said sources.

According to sources, farmer leader Pandher said that the agitation was at a stalemate since February and there was no way they could back down till the government accepts their demands.

An official, who was present in the meeting, said though nothing concrete came out during the talks, but it was a step in the right direction.

“Though officers from Punjab were also there in the meeting, they were more as facilitators while the Haryana officials and farmer leaders spoke one on one”, the official told The Tribune.